Fethiye Times News – Week Ending 21 April 2018

Our pick of the news from Fethiye and around Turkey over the last week.

News

Turkey to hold snap elections on 24 June

The news has been dominated this week by the decision to bring forward elections that could pave the way for a single-party state with few checks on the power of the president to 24 June, a year and a half ahead of schedule.

Turkey is switching from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, abolishing the office of the prime minister and decreasing the powers of the parliament, following a narrowly approved referendum last year. The changes take effect with the next election.

Meral Akşener receives a rousing welcome in Fethiye

Meral Akşener, a popular nationalist leader who broke away from the MHP last year to set up her own centre-right İYİ Party, is billed as a credible opponent for the presidency.

On Thursday, she came to Fethiye to meet with Fethiye Mayor, Behçet Saatçı, who joined the İYİ Party.

The meeting was followed by an event in Beşkaza town square where hundreds of locals turned out to support Saatçı and give Akşener a rousing welcome.

Akşener may face procedural hurdles for her party to run in the elections because of a rule that requires political parties to hold a general congress at least six months before the polls. She was billed as a credible opponent to Erdoğan due to her nationalist credentials and the fact that she is a practising Muslim with secular views on government, and her ability to target both centrist voters and others from the president’s base.

Akşener may still be able to run for the presidency even if her party does not qualify to run for parliament.

Sources: The Guardian/The Independent/Yeniçağ Gazetesi

Tourism Week.

Tourism week is held in many countries around the world. The dates may differ but the general theme is the same. Tourism Week brings sector professionals together to discuss travel successes (or difficulties) of previous years and advocate policies that promote future opportunities and growth in the Tourism sector.

Last week was the 42nd Tourism Week in Turkey. Celebrations began with an opening ceremony in front of the Fethiye Municipality Culture Centre organised by the Governorship of Fethiye (Kaymakamlığı).

The opening speech was made by Tourism Advisory Office Güler Uymaz. According to information obtained from the agency and accommodation sector, Uymaz pointed out that a 40% increase is anticipated in 2018 compared to 2017. He went on to say “In 2017, a total of 1 million 150 thousand people, including 450 thousand foreigners and 700 thousand domestic visitors, visited our city”

Scal Club Uğur Serindağ stated that they want to increase tourism diversity in Fethiye. “We come together every year between April 15th and 22nd, with the aim of ensuring the participation of locals and young people in local tourism activities”

Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Osman Cirali said “Unfortunately, after a couple of difficult years, there are some problems in the Tourism sector but these problems should not deter us. Our profession has been holding tourism activities for many years andwe will overcome these problems”

The ceremony ended with a comic sketch, presentations and non-alcoholic cocktails and snacks.

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